A History of Aerodynamics: And Its Impact on Flying Machines (Cambridge Aerospace Series No.8)

Description

From the Foreword: 'John Anderson's book represents a milestone in aviation literature. For the first time aviation enthusiasts - both specialists and popular readers alike - possess an authoritative history of aerodynamic theory. Not only is this study authoritative, it is also highly readable and linked to the actual (and more familiar) story of how the airplane evolved. The book touches on all the major theorists and their contributions and, most important, the historical context in which they worked to move the science of aerodynamics forward.' Von Hardesty, Smithsonian Institution From the reviews: 'Something of the unexpected quality of this book can be inferred from its full title A History of Aerodynamics and Its Impact on Flying Machines. Pilots tend to suppose that the science of aerodynamics began empirically, somewhere around the time of Lilienthal and the Wrights, and that aerodynamics and manned flight are roughly coeval. It is therefore surprising to come upon a photograph of the Wright Flyer as late as page 242 of the 478-page volume.' Peter Garrison, Flying 'This book successfully straddles the boundary that separates a text book from a history book.
It is of equal interest to both the aerodynamicist and the layman. The textual balance achieved by the author has resulted in a book that is enjoyable and educational.' Earl See, American Aviation Historical Society Newsletter

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Contents

Part I. The Incubation Phase: 1. Aerodynamics - what is it?; 2. The prehistory of aerodynamics - from antiquity to Da Vinci; 3. The dawn of aerodynamic thought - to George Cayley and the concept of the modern airplane configuration; Part II. The Infancy of Aerodynamics and Some Growing Pains: 4. The infancy of aerodynamics - to Lilienthal and Langley; Part III. Aerodynamics Comes of Age: 5. Applied aerodynamics comes of age: the Wright brothers; 6. Theoretical aerodynamics comes of age: the circulation theory of lift, and boundary layer theory; Part IV. Twentieth-Century Aerodynamics: 7. Aerodynamics in the age of strut-and-wire biplanes; 8. Aerodynamics in the age of mature propellor-driven airplanes; 9. Aerodynamics in the age of the jet airplane; Epilogue.